PIVOT SETS THE SEASON THREE PREMIERE OF THE AWARD-WINNING COMEDY/DRAMA, "PLEASE LIKE ME" FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 AT 10 P.M.

Lauded By Critics Around the World, 'Please Like Me' Returns for Another Awkwardly Hilarious Season With 10 All-New Episodes

LOS ANGELES (July 22, 2015) - Pivot announced today that the highly anticipated season three of Participant Media's award-winning scripted comedy "Please Like Me," premieres on Friday, October 16 at 10 p.m. ET. The charming, semi-autobiographical series, inspired by Josh Thomas' standup comedy and real-life experiences, has been described by critics as "'Seinfeld' blended with a guy-centric 'Girls'" (Associated Press). Creator, writer, and star of the show, Thomas extends his talent this season by taking a seat in the director's chair for the first time, making him a quadruple threat. With 10 all-new half-hour installments, viewers will get another glimpse into Josh's hilariously dark and dysfunctional world.

Joining the new season is actress Emily Barclay (Light Between Oceans, Suburban Mayhem), who portrays Ella, Tom's (Thomas Ward) new love interest. Original cast members reprising their roles for season three alongside Thomas and Ward are Caitlin Stasey (Claire), Hannah Gadsby (Hannah), Keegan Joyce (Arnold), Debra Lawrance in her AACTA Award-winning role of Mum, David Roberts (Dad), Renee Lim (Mae) and, arguably the show's biggest star, Josh's dog, John.

What differences can viewers expect to see this season? "I lost too much weight in my face this year and now I have my dad's face. Otherwise Season three is our best yet, " said Thomas.

Named one of the best shows of the year by Entertainment Weekly for two years running, "Please Like Me" is praised by critics around the world. It has earned nominations from the International Emmy(R) Awards, the Rose d'Or Awards, the GLAAD Media Awards, the Logie Awards, as well as nine AACTA Awards nominations (Australian Academy awards) where it has won trophies for Best Comedy Series, Best Screenplay in Television and Best Performance in a TV Comedy. Last year, Thomas made OUT Magazine's annual OUT 100 List as a comedian to watch.

"Season 3 is romantic, fun, and messy -- it makes you laugh while being brutally honest about the darker moments of our everyday lives," said Belisa Balaban, EVP Original Programming for Pivot. "It's an unflinching comedy with a huge heart that makes viewers feel real emotions."

This season charges head-on into twenty-something territory with storylines concerning online dating, coming out, STDs, adultery, and raising chickens (yes, chickens). Continuing Participant Media's mission to spark conversation and inspire change, season three will again team up with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Active Voices on Say Something, a social action campaign and college tour that highlights the experiences of individuals living with mental illness to help destigmatize the issue, and encourage policymakers to prioritize addressing the state of comprehensive mental health care in the country.

The original key creative team is also back: award-winning film and TV Director Matthew Saville (The Slap, Felony); Producer Todd Abbott; and Executive Producers Thomas, Abbott and Kevin Whyte. Executive Producers for the ABC are Rick Kalowski and Brett Sleigh; and for Pivot, Jeff Skoll and Chris Loveall. "Please Like Me", a Pivot Original Series, is a Pigeon Fancier and John & Josh International Production, produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

About Participant Media

Participant Media (http://www.participantmedia.com/) is a leading media company dedicated to entertainment that inspires and compels social change. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, Participant combines the power of a good story well told with opportunities for viewers to get involved. Participant's more than 60 films include Lincoln, Contagion, The Help, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Food, Inc., Waiting For "Superman," CITIZENFOUR and An Inconvenient Truth. Participant has also launched more than a dozen original series, including "Please Like Me," "Hit Record On TV with Joseph Gordon-Levitt," and "Fortitude," for its television network, Pivot (http://www.pivot.tv/). Participant's digital hub, TakePart (http://www.TakePart.com), serves millions of socially conscious consumers each month with daily articles, videos and opportunities to take action. Follow Participant Media on Twitter at @Participant and on Facebook.